Is it wrong for Congress to order State Dept to invalidate passport to N. Korea?
Jun 23, 2017, 2:42 pm
#16
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Interesting issue - does such language bind US citizens in any way? Ie if the DPRK decides to allow travellers with such passports into the country, what then? Can anyone be prosecuted in the US for travelling to a country where the passport is not valid for?
Jun 23, 2017, 2:45 pm
#17
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Jun 23, 2017, 6:22 pm
#19
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Jun 23, 2017, 6:43 pm
#20
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I do think by making some sort of provision restricting US citizens from entering N. Korea, it will help deter a lot of people and will also stop giving any money to that awful country. I am sorry but there is absolutely no reason to go there unless youre trying to make some undercover documentary with the possibility of getting imprisoned or killed.
There are plenty of things that are illegal that are far less serious that people have no issue with so this is something that should be a no brainer
There are plenty of things that are illegal that are far less serious that people have no issue with so this is something that should be a no brainer
Jun 23, 2017, 6:44 pm
#21
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I just skimmed Zemel. It is, of course, still good law, but I wonder whether another SC, including the present one, would decide it the same way.
Jun 23, 2017, 6:48 pm
#22
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Back in the late 50s /early 60s many Malaysian students were being issued passports for travel to the UK to attend the Malayan Teachers Training Colleges at Kirkby, Liverpool and at Brinsford Lodge near Wolverhampton.
All or most of these passports bore the inscription that they were not valid for travel to China, Hong Kong or Taiwan.
Times have sure changed!
Jun 23, 2017, 7:17 pm
#23
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Why would it be stupid? What happened to Warmbier is very sad, but what he did was also very, very stupid. First rule of for foreign travel: Follow the rules of the host country. Second rule for foreign travel: If there's any question, ask first. This is particularly true if you're visiting a totalitarian country. Hundreds of Americans have visited North Korea with no problem. Though it's not first on my list of places I want to visit, I would like the opportunity to see North Korea. And I wouldn't be stupid enough to do what poor Warmbier did.
Jun 23, 2017, 7:18 pm
#24
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Having traveled to north Korea on my US passport I don't see this even affecting anything. The dprk booklet visa you get is all they care about. That's what they ask for when you check in for your air koryo flight. In Pyongyang they opened up my passport briefly. The stamping was done on the booklet. Then they take your passport at the hotel front desk. Your minders give it back to you at the airport where your visa booklet gets taken away by the border patrol officer and you are on your way. As long as you still have someone to arrange your visa I don't think the dprk will care one bit what the state department writes in your passport.
Jun 23, 2017, 9:30 pm
#25
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Well, my current MYS passports still says the same.
Although its pretty much useless because Israel still accepts entry via 3rd party countries. That said, the Home Ministry in Malaysia does issue authorizations for Msians to enter Israel under religious reasons if they're done via Churches.
Another common reason is due companies requesting for it ie. Intel, which has facilities in Malaysia and Israel.
Although its pretty much useless because Israel still accepts entry via 3rd party countries. That said, the Home Ministry in Malaysia does issue authorizations for Msians to enter Israel under religious reasons if they're done via Churches.
Another common reason is due companies requesting for it ie. Intel, which has facilities in Malaysia and Israel.
Jun 23, 2017, 10:25 pm
#26
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I don't understand why such a ban is necessary.
The State Department makes it very clear that you should avoid certain countries if possible and undertake such travel at your own risk.
If you ask me, State should add a paragraph to the North Korea travel warning that U.S. citizens will not receive any assistance whatsoever if they travel to NK of their own accord. If the U.S. govt were to offer some sort of concession -- sanctions relief, for example -- in exchange for the freedom of jailed Americans, that would simply encourage NK to lock up or even kidnap Westerners for leverage.
The State Department makes it very clear that you should avoid certain countries if possible and undertake such travel at your own risk.
If you ask me, State should add a paragraph to the North Korea travel warning that U.S. citizens will not receive any assistance whatsoever if they travel to NK of their own accord. If the U.S. govt were to offer some sort of concession -- sanctions relief, for example -- in exchange for the freedom of jailed Americans, that would simply encourage NK to lock up or even kidnap Westerners for leverage.
Jun 24, 2017, 1:33 am
#28
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Indeed. Just like the US can say a passport is required for US citizens to go from the US to Canada, but Canada can still admit US citizens at Canadian ports of entry into even without a passport as it wishes. But there are ways for a government to try to frustrate the international travel of its own citizens, beyond just applying language in a passport to try to do so.
Jun 24, 2017, 1:35 am
#29
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Why would it be stupid? What happened to Warmbier is very sad, but what he did was also very, very stupid. First rule of for foreign travel: Follow the rules of the host country. Second rule for foreign travel: If there's any question, ask first. This is particularly true if you're visiting a totalitarian country. Hundreds of Americans have visited North Korea with no problem. Though it's not first on my list of places I want to visit, I would like the opportunity to see North Korea. And I wouldn't be stupid enough to do what poor Warmbier did.
There's a twofold risk in NK: people who verifiably break laws (the bible guy that got really roughed up); those designated at random to be political pawns. The first group is a tedious issue for the USDoS and the Swedes, but the latter is a nightmare.
Jun 24, 2017, 1:41 am
#30
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On the legal front, this bill has been formally introduced to the House as H.R. 2732, sponsored by Rep. Schiff (D-CA 28th) and cosponsored by Rep. Wilson (R-SC 2nd). It's been referred to the House foreign affairs committee.
Sen. Corker (R-TN), chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, has expressed support for such a ban on travel to NK, but no corresponding legislation has been introduced in the Senate thus far.
The formal language of the bill suggests that it'll be a Cuba-style economic sanction by forcing the Treasury Dept to stop any monetary transaction related to travel to NK. The proposed NK travel ban also includes LPRs as well as citizens. There's a 5-year sunset clause in the bill.
Full text of the bill
Sen. Corker (R-TN), chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, has expressed support for such a ban on travel to NK, but no corresponding legislation has been introduced in the Senate thus far.
The formal language of the bill suggests that it'll be a Cuba-style economic sanction by forcing the Treasury Dept to stop any monetary transaction related to travel to NK. The proposed NK travel ban also includes LPRs as well as citizens. There's a 5-year sunset clause in the bill.
Full text of the bill
